Crime Watch is a weekly series culled from reports provided by the Santa Monica Police Department. These are arrests only. All parties are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Saturday, Nov. 21, at 9:03 p.m.,
Santa Monica police officers responded to the area of Seventh Street and Colorado Avenue regarding a fight. When officers arrived, they located a suspect in the parking lot of Vons. Officers were advised that a suspect entered the store and removed a bottle of booze. The manager and store security confronted the suspect outside of the store. The suspect gave back the bottle of alcohol. As the manager and security guard were heading back to the store, the guard was struck in the back with a large rock allegedly thrown by the suspect, who fled the area. Officers were advised on Nov. 27 that the suspect had come back to the store. The suspect was identified as Bradley Hanaway, 25, a transient. His bail was set at $33,049.
Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 1:46 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1600 block of Ocean Front Walk — Ocean View Store — regarding a fight. When officers arrived, they made contact with the alleged victim who told them that the suspect entered the store and picked up a pair of sunglasses from a rack. She then put them on her head and left the store without paying for them. When the victim, a store employee, confronted the suspect, the suspect allegedly turned around and struck the victim in the face with a closed fist. The two then began to fight over the sunglasses. The suspect was identified as Cynthia Cantrell, 45, a transient. She was not eligible for bail.
Wednesday, Nov. 25, at 4:40 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 300 block of Colorado Avenue — Sears — regarding theft suspects in custody. When officers arrived, they made contact with store security who said two women who were caught shoplifting two weeks ago but were not prosecuted entered the store and took items to the dressing rooms. After a few minutes, the suspects then left the dressing rooms without any items. A check of the dressing rooms revealed there were no items left behind. Security stopped the suspects outside of the store and found the stolen items, along with items from another store. The suspects allegedly admitted to stealing the items from Sears and another store. Security detained the suspects until officers arrived. The items were valued at $232. Officers placed the suspects under arrest for burglary. They were identified as Marina Berben 19, of Santa Monica, and Jandete Jacobina, 19, of Los Angeles. Bail was set at $20,000.
Friday, Nov. 27, at 6:31 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1400 block of Fourth Street — Parking Structure No. 5 — regarding a person urinating on the wall. When officers arrived, they made contact with several witnesses who identified the suspect. He was placed under arrest for loitering in the parking structure and urinating in public. During a pre-booking search, officers located Hydrocodone, a powerful pain reliever. At the jail, the suspect allegedly became combative and kicked jail personnel. The suspect was booked for possession of a controlled substance, battery on a custodial officer, possession of marijuana and municipal code violations. The suspect was also on parole. He was identified as Richard Beitler, 23, of Lake Forest. He was not eligible for bail.
Saturday, Nov. 28, at 10:12 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 700 block of Broadway — Vons — regarding a strong-arm robbery. When officers arrived, they made contact with a store employee who said he saw a woman walk out of the store with two items without paying for them. Once outside the store, the employee made contact with the woman and asked her if she had a receipt for the items. The suspect allegedly became confrontational with the employee and pushed him away. The employee, fearing the suspect would become more violent, went back into the store and called police. Officers located the suspect a short distance away with the stolen items (Arizona ice tea and toothpaste). Officers searched the suspect and allegedly discovered cocaine. The suspect was placed under arrest for robbery and possession of a controlled substance. She was identified as Elizabeth Eckerle, 49, a transient. Her bail was set at $50,000.
Saturday, Nov. 28, at 5:10 p.m.,
Officers on routine patrol near the Civic Center noticed a city vehicle parked in a nearby lot with its doors open and items strewn about. Witnesses told officers that the man responsible was walking a short distance away. Officers made contact with the suspect, who said he was paid $50 by someone to clean up the vehicle. Officers found the suspect to be in possession of a drill and a flashlight. The suspect, Thomas Lafleur, 60, a transient, was arrested for burglary. His bail was set at $20,000.
Saturday, Nov. 28, at 5:34 p.m.,
Officers responded to the 1200 block of Third Street — Sephora —regarding a theft suspect in custody. When officers arrived, they were advised by store security that two suspects placed items in their purses, went to the cashier and tried to return the items. The suspects then allegedly purchased additional items with the credit and additional gift cards. As the suspects left the store, security stopped them for questioning. The suspects — a mother and daughter team — were accompanied by the daughter’s children, police said. Further investigation by security revealed that the suspects were in possession of additional items from Sephora that totaled $775. Inside the purses were additional items form other stores that appeared to have been stolen. They were identified as Fina Sherwood, 55, of Brentwood, and Jennifer Sherwood, 27, of Los Angeles. Bail was set at $20,000 for each suspect.
